Florida confirms a death from dengue as the state struggles with one of its worst recent outbreaks
Health officials say 41 locally acquired cases were reported statewide in one week as crews intensify mosquito control and residents are urged to avoid bites.
- On Friday, the Florida Department of Health confirmed the state's first dengue fever death of 2026, involving 80-year-old Gay Small, who died of "dengue infection," "septic shock," and "multi-organ failure" at Tampa General Hospital in Hillsborough County.
- Hillsborough County has become the epicenter of an unprecedented dengue surge, recording 134 of the 152 locally acquired infections reported in Florida this summer, a dramatic shift from the county's typical handful of annual cases.
- Doctors at Tampa General Hospital have treated more than 100 dengue patients, with chief hospital epidemiology officer Dr. Kartik Cherabuddi noting the intense body aches known as "break-bone fever" frequently drive patients to emergency rooms.
- Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services is deploying trucks and helicopters to eliminate disease vectors, while senior environmental scientist Paolo Pecora urged residents to drain standing water on their properties to disrupt breeding cycles.
- Climate change and warmer temperatures are expanding mosquito ranges, with University of Florida associate professor Michael von Fricken suggesting these outbreaks could become the "new normal" for the state's recurring dengue threat.
49 Articles
49 Articles
State Confirms Dengue Death, Amid Worst Surge in Decades
Florida is experiencing one of its worst surges of dengue fever in decades, and the toll now includes a death. The Florida Department of Health confirmed the death on Friday, though it didn't provide further details, per the AP. It's one of more than 130 locally acquired dengue cases reported...
Tropical disease spread by mosquitoes claims first recorded death in southern US state - NEW YORK TIMES POST
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Florida recorded its first confirmed dengue fever death of 2026 earlier this month, according to the Florida Department of Health. Gay Small of Hillsborough County died on Sept. 4 — her 80th birthday — from complications of a dengue infection, including septic shock and multi-organ failure, after [...]
Tropical disease spread by mosquitoes claims first recorded death in southern US state – Democratic Accent
Florida recorded its first confirmed dengue fever death of 2026 earlier this month, according to... The post Tropical disease spread by mosquitoes claims first recorded death in southern US state appeared first on Democratic Accent .
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